The Government of Kenya on Tuesday, January 28 issued a statement on the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) after a Kenyan student from China was admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after exhibiting symptoms of the deadly new virus.
The student arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday, January 28, aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Guangzhou, China.
Upon screening at the airport, he was found to have a fever and was quickly rushed to isolation in a temporary holding room at the airport.
The student was then transferred to the Infectious Disease Unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) where he was admitted.
Tests carried out indicated that the student's vital signs were within normal range.
The Ministry of Health asserted that the case of the student was the only suspected case of Coronavirus in the country so far.
"Following admission at the KNH, appropriate specimens have been collected for investigation at the National Influenza Center.
"Information available indicates that he left Wuhan City on 20th January 2020 to Zhangjiajie. He left for Nairobi through Guangzhou, China and Bangkok, Thailand on 27th January and arrived at JKIA this morning at 0615 hours," the ministry statement read in part.
Kenyans were advised to maintain proper hygiene standards and avoid contact with individuals suffering from acute respiratory infections.
"So far, this is the only suspected case. We wish to advise members of the public to maintain basic hand & respiratory hygiene, safe food practices, avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections," stated Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki.
She further disclosed that the government was still on high alert with a high number of Chinese nationals jetting into the country.
“The surveillance system remains on high alert at all points of entry & health facilities & screening is being conducted to all those from affected countries,” the CS noted.
The confirmed death toll from the virus rose to 106 as of Tuesday, January 28. Confirmed infections rose by more than double in one day to hit 4,500.
Several more cases are expected to be reported in coming weeks with infections already confirmed in, among others, the United States, Taiwan, Australia, France, Canada and Vietnam.
